Danube River Golf Cruise

Brief Itinerary 

SALZBURG September 5–7

Your journey begins in Salzburg, among the most beautiful cities in Europe. Your accommodations at the five-star Hotel Sacher offer easy access to Salzburg’s Old Town, the birthplace of Mozart. Golf takes us to Salzburg’s lake region for a round beneath the white-faced Dragon Wall Mountain, while tours explore the area’s breathtaking scenery and charming towns made famous by “The Sound of Music.”

VIENNA September 10–11

One of Europe’s cultural epicenters, Vienna conjures visions of royalty, the tastes of chocolate and fine wine, and the sounds of Mozart and Strauss. Vienna also offers golf gems such as Fontana Golf Club, former home of the Austrian Open.

PRAGUE Extension Tour September 14–17

Prague’s cultural highlights, including St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock, the Charles Bridge, and Hradcany Castle, will delight Extension Tour participants. Golfers enjoy a round at Karlštejn Golf Club, located in the Czech countryside, overlooking a famous castle.

Full Itinerary

September 4/5: Salzburg, Austria

Depart your home city on September 4 for an overnight flight to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart. Upon arrival, you are greeted and transferred to the five-star Hotel Sacher. Conveniently located in the heart of Salzburg, the hotel has beautiful views of the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The afternoon is at your leisure until you gather for a welcome reception this evening.

Salzburg

September 6: Salzburg, Austria

Golf: Golfclub Am Mondsee

Located just outside of Salzburg, Mondsee sits below the white-faced Dragon Wall Mountain and along the shores of Lake Drachensee, one of 70 lakes in the area. Water is a prominent design feature of the course and Mondsee’s final four holes are a stern test of both skill and nerve. 

Tour: Mondsee & The Lake District

Austria’s famous lake district, called the Salzkammergut, has been known for its salt mines as well as being a summer resort for royalty, intellectuals and the bourgeoisie. The tour takes you through breathtaking scenery with majestic mountains, crystal blue lakes and charming towns. Visit the church in Mondsee, which was the scene for the wedding in “The Sound of Music,” before continuing on to St. Gilgen for lunch.

September 7: Pass au, Germany

Today all passengers explore lovely Salzburg, a designated World Heritage Site. Local guides will lead you in small groups to the treasures of this city including the Old Town, Mozart’s birthplace, Festival Hall, Market Square, St. Peters District, the cathedral and Residenz Square. Afterward, depart for Passau to board River Cloud II and enjoy a welcome dinner on the glorious host vessel. 

Brunnwies Golf Course

September 8: Pass au, Germany

Golf: Brunnwies Golf Course

The peaceful hills and farmland of Bavaria provide an ideal setting for golf. Designed by Bernhard Langer, Brunnwies is one of six golf courses that comprise the Hartl Golf Resort. The setting exudes charm with endless views of the forests and farmlands of Lower Bavaria, as well as a farm-style clubhouse that serves a beer once brewed by monks from nearby Aldersbach Monastery.

Tour: Passau

Touring passengers explore the town of Passau, once referred to as the “Venice of Bavaria.” It is filled with fine examples of Baroque, Rococo and Neo-Classical architecture like the 15th century St. Stephen’s.

September 9: Melk-Dürnstein, Austria

Golfers take a well-deserved rest today as River Cloud II cruises through the Wachau Valley, one of the most beautiful and historic parts of Austria. Stop at Melk and tour the famous Abbey. Built in 1089, the Abbey is located on a cliff overlooking the Danube and is still used today by Benedictine monks. Later you will visit Dürnstein—one of the most picturesque towns along the Danube—set at the foot of the castle where Richard the Lionhearted was imprisoned.

September 10: Vienna, Austria

Golf: Colony Club Gutenhof

Located just south of Vienna is Austria’s first 36-hole golf club—Colony Club Gutenhof, which has hosted both the European Tour’s Austrian Open and the Austrian Women’s Open. Its two parkland courses are set among century-old forests and winding streams. Golfers will have to accurately negotiate numerous water hazards and well-placed bunkers to score well at Gutenhof.

Tour: Spanish Riding School

Attend a rehearsal of the Spanish Riding School, home to the only institution in the world to have practiced the Renaissance tradition of Lipizzan horse riding. See the Hofburg complex, the glory of the Habsburg Empire and continue to the 12th century St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna’s most recognized landmark. This evening a private concert is planned to allow you to sample the music of some of Austria’s most notable composers.

September 11: Vienna, Austria

Golf: Fonta na Golf Club

After opening in 1997, Fontana Golf Club quickly established itself as one of, if not the, best golf courses in Austria. Designed by course architect Doug Carrick, Fontana hosted the Austrian Open for a number of years. The bent grass greens and fairways are superbly maintained, adding to the enjoyment of playing this fine course—as do the tasty bratwursts offered at the halfway house. 

Tour: Schönbrunn Palace

Today’s tour visits Schönbrunn Palace, residence of the Habsburg emperors from the 18th century until 1918. Here, the 6- year-old Mozart played for Empress Maria Theresa in the Palace’s Hall of Mirrors. You have time this afternoon for individual exploration of this romantic city.

September 12: Budapest, Hungary

Tour: Budapest

River Cloud II docks in the heart of Budapest—often referred to as the “Paris of the East.” All passengers get a day devoted to exploring Budapest, with visits to the Opera House, Parliament, Heroes Square, City Market and the Castle Hill District.

September 13: Budapest, Hungary

Golf: Pannonia Golf & Country Club 

Travel into the Hungarian countryside to Pannonia Golf & Country Club, located on a site that was a country home for the Habsburgs over 180 years ago. Nestled in the beautiful Máriavölgy Valley, this course, designed by Doug Carrick, features generous fairways, deep bunkers and imaginatively shaped greens.

Tour: Szentendre

This tour visits the town of Szentendre, located in the middle of the Danube Bend. This charming town with dozens of small galleries and cafés is home to a Hungarian artist colony. 

September 14: Budapest, Hungary

Bid farewell to the captain and his crew as you begin transfers this morning for homebound flights or you may continue onto the Prague Extension Tour.